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The NIH Division of Biologics Standards (DBS) licensed the rubella vaccine for use in June 1969. Explore this selection of items from the NLM Digital Collections to discover how scientists working at the DBS set policy, conducted research, and enforced standards to ensure the safety of vaccines.

Front page of a magazine

“DBS Will Transfer to FDA on July 1,” NIH Record, Bethesda, Maryland, June 7, 1972

Courtesy National Library of Medicine

To resolve tension between DBS’ role as an innovator and regulator, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) transferred the Division to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 1972 and renamed it the Bureau of Biologics. The NIH Record, an internal publication for NIH staff, reported that DBS’ move to the FDA involved an administrative change. All 258 employees remained on the NIH campus and continued to work with their peers.